Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 99

99

“Pardon? A fashion show?”

Lee Minki jumped at Director Jung Ga-yeon’s sudden proposal.

“Yes, Seoul Fashion Week.”

“Me, there?”

He pointed to his face with a finger.

In that brief reaction, Director Jung Ga-yeon’s eyes widened like full moons.

‘As I thought, he is interested in this.’

Actors are like that.

No, it’s rare to find an actor who isn’t.

It’s a job where you have to look good to the public, so how could they not be interested in a place where all the world’s glamour comes together?

“Yes, of course. You can participate, Actor Lee.”

“But I’m not exactly a professional model. Even as a shopping mall model, I’ve only done fitting modeling.”

“Huhu, that’s a common misunderstanding we often encounter.”

Director Jung Ga-yeon smiled gently and opened her mouth.

“Actually, Seoul Fashion Week isn’t just for professional models. It aims to be a more public festival. We often invite special guests like you, Actor Lee.”

“But I haven’t received any special training or anything. I haven’t even managed my weight that well.”

At Lee Minki’s hesitant words, Director Jung Ga-yeon smiled and said,

“Not managing it might actually be an advantage, making it more natural.”

That was a characteristic of Seoul Fashion Week.

Overseas collections often strictly separate high fashion models from commercial models and only employ professional models, but Korea is a bit different.

Depending on the situation, the boundaries between the two can be blurred as much as possible.

‘The actor is already working as a fashion model, right? It’s not like he has no career at all, there’s no way we can’t create a spot for him.’

There might be some complaints from the committee.

They might complain that a parachute appointment [an appointment of someone unqualified] was made from another company.

But.

‘It’s Lee Minki, so who cares.’

It’s Lee Minki, not someone else.

Who would object to putting Lee Minki in Fashion Week?

Considering the publicity effect, they’ll be impressed that we brought Lee Minki in.

“And also.”

Director Jung Ga-yeon turned her gaze to CEO Yoo Gyu-eon and said,

“It just so happens that Yoo Gyu-eon designer’s Terminus collection is also scheduled to participate from this Fashion Week.”

“Terminus?”

What is that?

As Lee Minki was about to mutter about the word he had never heard before, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon slowly nodded.

“Yes, Terminus is the name of my brand that I’m launching this time. It will be officially announced at Seoul Fashion Week.”

Terminus.

It was a brand that he had created entirely new, separate from the shopping mall.

If the shopping mall aims for a completely public style, Terminus adds a more artistic perspective.

Art that can be worn in everyday life.

Finding that middle ground was Terminus’s philosophy.

“Since it’s designer Yoo Gyu-eon’s clothes, it must be very beautiful without even seeing them, right?”

Director Jung Ga-yeon interjected with a smile.

“Actually, the reason I visited this office today was to discuss the collection. There’s no way you can’t make a spot for the actor, right? Actors who are also models often appear in collections.”

At Director Jung Ga-yeon’s continued words, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon looked at Lee Minki.

A somewhat apologetic look could be seen.

He looked sorry for getting him involved in troublesome work when he must be busy with his acting career.

But those words came across a little differently to Lee Minki.

‘Stand on Seoul Fashion Week? Me?’

His heart was pounding like crazy.

It was a stage he thought he could never reach in his life.

He was short, lacked recognition, and had no background.

Most of all, he was unlucky.

Being unlucky in a red ocean [highly competitive market] is the same as saying that no opportunity will be given.

Even though he was interested in a career as a fashion model, Seoul Fashion Week was a separate world existing above the clouds for him.

But.

Now, an opportunity to move forward to that place has arisen.

“Actor Lee, you don’t have to push yourself too hard.”

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon said with a worried look.

He was probably saying that considering weight management and image management as an actor.

There are actors who are reluctant to get too close to the fashion world.

Especially those who want to maintain a familiar image with the public.

Also, he probably didn’t want to give the feeling that he was using their friendship.

But.

“Can I really challenge myself on the runway?”

Lee Minki was different.

If he could, he definitely wanted to do it.

Even if it meant being used, so what?

If they use him while he wants to be used, what should that be called?

In modern society, this is called.

[Win-Win]

[Mutually beneficial relationship]

[Boss, I’m loyal, I’m loyal]

Each other’s wishes coincided.

Director Jung Ga-yeon, who instinctively read the desire in Lee Minki’s eyes, opened her mouth.

“It’s not that you’re challenging yourself, Actor Lee.”

In the moment when a small disappointment appeared in Lee Minki’s eyes, she smiled and continued.

“We are inviting you, Actor Lee.”

“……!”

Can I go up?

Can I really go up to Seoul Fashion Week?

It was the moment when Lee Minki made a hopeful expression.

“Wait a minute.”

A person opened his mouth with a breathless expression.

“Let me think about it for a moment.”

That person was neither Lee Minki nor Jung Ga-eun.

It was.

The person who had consistently maintained a step back from the topic until now.

‘CEO Yoo Gyu-eon?’

It was CEO Yoo Gyu-eon.

* * *

In a quiet office.

A man was holding a cell phone and muttering.

“Something like that happened.”

It was Director Seo Jung-woo.

He was in the process of examining the situation after receiving a report that Lee Minki had been scouted for Seoul Fashion Week.

Across the receiver, a poor excuse continued.

[I didn’t intend it, but somehow the story went in that direction.]

It was CEO Yoo Gyu-eon.

He muttered as if he was sorry that he had unintentionally come to the crossroads of establishing a famous model as the face of his brand.

[I was originally just trying to take care of Actor Lee Minki’s business and send him back.]

“And at that timing, a related person came?”

[That’s right. It’s hard to believe, but they thought so highly of Actor Lee Minki.]

“That’s not it.”

[What?]

“It’s not hard to believe that they think highly of the actor. Rather, it’s natural.”

[…….]

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon was speechless at Director Seo Jung-woo’s words, as if it were so natural.

He also had a good impression of Actor Lee Minki.

But what is this sense of trust?

It’s like saying that when the food is bland, you just need to add a pinch of salt.

“Rather, it’s a good thing.”

Director Seo Jung-woo continued, as if wondering what was so strange about it.

“You’ve been looking for an actor to wear the clothes you designed, and the actor happens to like your clothes. What’s the problem?”

[There are many things to worry about with actors, such as their image and schedule. I’m just wondering if I’m relying too much on friendship.]

So that was his concern.

He was worried that he was using his fame because he was friends with a popular actor.

That was because he had been working as a fitting model for [YU] at an infinitely low price compared to his rising value.

Director Seo Jung-woo chuckled at the innocent worry and said.

“What do you think of the actor’s eye for fashion?”

[Eye for fashion?]

“He’s a model, isn’t he? He must have standards when he looks at clothes, right?”

At those words, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon paused for a moment.

And soon came to a conclusion.

No, there was no need to come to a conclusion.

[He’s far above most designers.]

“That much? Aren’t you exaggerating too much?”

[I’m just stating the facts as they are.]

That’s right.

The model Lee Minki, as seen by CEO Yoo Gyu-eon, was already ahead of any designer in terms of his eye for fashion.

[Whether it’s instinctively grasping the attitude of clothes he’s seeing for the first time, or utilizing the texture, or not just wearing the clothes but also interpreting the philosophy contained within. It’s not something anyone can do.]

That was why he highly valued Lee Minki.

He thoroughly interprets clothes in a trendy way when wearing them.

Even with similar clothes, he considered even a single wrinkle when posing.

But strictly speaking, this was a slight misunderstanding.

Lee Minki had actually lived in a world where those clothes were widely distributed, and he knew what poses the models in that world took.

“So, that’s what you think of the actor?”

Director Seo Jung-woo tilted his coffee can and smiled faintly.

And then said as if throwing it out.

“That actor is wearing your clothes.”

[…….]

“It’s not like the actor is a child being put out on the street, he must have his own thoughts.”

Who is Lee Minki?

He seems like someone who would accept anything, but that’s not always the case.

Rather, what should I say?

He had a knack for picking out only the things that would help his career like a ghost.

Therefore, Director Seo Jung-woo said as if he had no worries.

“Gyu-eon, I’m more worried about something else.”

[What?]

“Why, if you’re going to wear clothes and promote them anyway, wouldn’t it be better to branch out in a different direction?”

Why, aren’t you filming a fashion-related movie anyway?

And who is designing the clothes in this movie?

[It’s me.]

“Yes, it’s you. Designer Yoo Gyu-eon.”

Here, Director Seo Jung-woo had an idea.

“What if the clothes that appear in the movie are sold as official collaboration products from your brand, Terminus?”

[…….]

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon was momentarily speechless at Director Seo Jung-woo’s words.

Because it was plausible.

Also, because it was tempting.

[It would sell well.]

But at the same time.

The designer’s stubbornness also remained.

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon finally laid out the concerns in his head.

[With that method, it would be difficult to distinguish whether it’s selling because it’s my clothes or because it appeared in the movie.]

That’s right.

Even if it’s sold as a collaboration, it’s just being carried away by marketing.

He was overly indebted to the master Hwang Ui-sung and the luxury actor Lee Minki.

At first glance, it’s a conscientious statement.

But.

‘As I thought, that was his true intention.’

Director Seo Jung-woo could only laugh at those words.

‘Yoo Gyu-eon, I knew it.’

He still hasn’t abandoned his clumsy artistic sense, even though he’s been saying that he’ll become a designer for the public.

How long has it been since he’s had a full stomach that he’s already tilting?

In his view, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon’s attitude was a kind of mental illness.

‘If I try to be noble alone, this is completely denying the foundation of the modern fashion industry.’

Why is marketing marketing?

Others are desperate to fill in even one more good model, good sponsorship, and good advertisement, but why is he putting shackles on himself?

Isn’t it a contradictory attitude to be running a shopping mall called [YU] that is extremely public-oriented?

What would have happened if he didn’t have the outstanding actor Lee Minki?

‘It wouldn’t be strange if he ruined his business and ended up on the streets. Even if it went well, it would end up just barely making ends meet.’

It’s a word that he can’t bring himself to say in front of the person in question.

But it was exactly the truth.

He actually ruined his business in the past when he hadn’t met Lee Minki, sticking to his designer’s stubbornness until the end.

The attitude of being recognized only by ability is commendable.

But unless you’re incredibly lucky, it’s impossible.

‘Unless it’s possible to put into practice, it’s just a delusion.’

Director Seo Jung-woo felt an endless amount of regret in his head, but he swallowed them back down his throat.

Because they were words that he had already repeated several times.

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon is not someone who will change with other people’s words. He has to experience and feel it himself to change.

Like how the person’s keynote changed a little while collaborating with Lee Minki.

“Gyu-eon, let me say one thing as a friend.”

It was the next moment.

Director Seo Jung-woo took a light breath and said.

“If you really feel grateful to Actor Lee Minki, isn’t it also selfish to make him throw away someone else’s opportunity with your stubbornness?”

[……!]

At that one word, CEO Yoo Gyu-eon’s heart throbbed, and soon his breathing stopped for a moment.

In fact, he must have been vaguely aware of it.

That Lee Minki has great ambition in the fashion model field as well, and that he is showing tremendous desire for this Fashion Week.

Nevertheless, he was trying to stop it.

“I’m not in a position to nag others, but I said unnecessary things.”

One word of nagging is enough.

Taking out more will only create resentment.

Director Seo Jung-woo laughed absurdly and said.

“Gyu-eon, I believe you’ll make a good decision on your own. You’re a successful company president now, right?”

[…….]

“I’ll visit the company later, so let’s see each other then.”

[Okay, I got it.]

Click.

That’s how the conversation between the two friends ended.

Across the receiver in Director Seo Jung-woo’s hand.

CEO Yoo Gyu-eon was still struggling to find a suitable answer, pondering for a long time.

Step by step.

He wandered around the corner of the underground parking lot several times and looked at the ceiling.

And.

‘Was I mistaken in thinking that I was the decision maker for this Seoul Fashion Week?’

Finally, he came to the next question.

‘Who gave me the opportunity to participate?’

There was no need to worry about answering.

Because he already knew.